U.S. patent application number 14/887526 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-11 for connecting system of multi-section housing and electronic device provided with that connecting system.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJITSU LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is FUJITSU LIMITED. Invention is credited to YUTAKA NAKAMURA.
Application Number | 20160044803 14/887526 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51843278 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160044803 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NAKAMURA; YUTAKA |
February 11, 2016 |
CONNECTING SYSTEM OF MULTI-SECTION HOUSING AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE
PROVIDED WITH THAT CONNECTING SYSTEM
Abstract
A connecting system of a multi-section housing provided at one
end face of a first and second housing superposed with their
display surfaces at the outsides, comprising: a first shaft
vertical to superposed surfaces of first and second housing; and a
second shaft perpendicular to the first shaft, wherein if a center
line of the first shaft is arranged on a line bisecting the end
face to the left and right and the center line of the second shaft
is arranged on the superposed surfaces of the first and second
housing, the first shaft can be used to allow the second housing
superposed over the first housing to be rotated by 180 degrees and,
in this state, the first housing can be made to rotate by the
second shaft by 180 degrees so as to arrange the display surfaces
of the first and second housings on the same plane.
Inventors: |
NAKAMURA; YUTAKA; (Atsugi,
JP) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FUJITSU LIMITED |
Kawasaki-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
FUJITSU LIMITED
Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa
JP
|
Family ID: |
51843278 |
Appl. No.: |
14/887526 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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PCT/JP2013/062656 |
Apr 30, 2013 |
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14887526 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1615 20130101;
G06F 1/1616 20130101; G06F 1/1622 20130101; G09F 9/40 20130101;
G06F 1/1647 20130101; H04M 1/0216 20130101; G06F 1/1681 20130101;
H04M 1/0212 20130101; H04M 1/0227 20130101; G06F 1/1641 20130101;
H04M 1/0206 20130101; H04M 1/0208 20130101; H04M 2250/16 20130101;
H04M 1/0247 20130101; G06F 1/16 20130101; H05K 5/0017 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H05K 5/00 20060101
H05K005/00 |
Claims
1. A connecting system of a multi-section housing having a first
connecting device which is provided at a center part of single end
faces of first and second housing sections of the same dimensions
which are superposed with display surfaces at the outsides, the
first connecting device comprising: a first shaft which is provided
in a direction vertical to superposed surfaces of the first and
second housing sections; and a second shaft which is provided in a
direction perpendicular to the first shaft; wherein when a center
line of the first shaft is arranged on a line bisecting the end
faces to the left and right, and a center line of the second shaft
is arranged on the superposed surfaces of the first and second
housing sections, by making the second housing section which is
superposed below the first housing section rotate by the first
shaft by 180 degrees and in this state making the first housing
section rotate by the second shaft by 180 degrees, the display
surfaces of the first and second housing sections can be formed on
the same plane.
2. The connecting system of a multi-section housing according to
claim 1, wherein the first shaft is a columnar shaped shaft which
is bisected at a diametrical position of the circle into a first
semicircular shaft and a second semicircular shaft, the second
shaft is provided at the split surfaces of the first semicircular
shaft and the second semicircular shaft so as to enable rotation of
the first semicircular shaft by 180 degrees, one end of the second
semicircular shaft is buried in the second housing section so that
the split surfaces become the same plane as the single end faces,
and the other end of the second semicircular shaft sticks out from
the superposed surfaces and is fit into a groove which is provided
at the superposed surfaces of the first housing section when the
first and second housing sections are superposed.
3. The connecting system of a multi-section housing according to
claim 2, wherein the outer circumferential surface of the first
shaft at the side which is fit into the first housing section is
provided with a ridge over the entire circumference so that the
first housing section does not detach from the first shaft.
4. A connecting system of a multi-section housing having a first
connecting device which is provided at a single end face of the
first and second housing sections which are superposed with display
surfaces at the outsides, the first connecting device comprising: a
first shaft which is provided in a direction vertical to superposed
surfaces of the first and second housing sections; and a second
shaft which is provided at a position twisted with respect to the
first shaft; wherein when a center line of the first shaft is
arranged on a line bisecting the end face to the left and right,
and a center line of the second shaft is arranged on the superposed
surfaces of the first and second housing sections, by making the
second housing section which is superposed below the first housing
section rotate by the first shaft by 180 degrees and in this state
making the second housing section rotate by the second shaft by 180
degrees, the display surfaces of the first and second housing
sections can be formed on the same plane.
5. The connecting system of a multi-section housing according to
claim 4, in which connecting system of a multi-section housing,
when the length of a normal descending from the first shaft to the
second shaft is defined as X, the first and second housing sections
to which the connecting system of a multi-section housing according
to claim 4 is attached are configured so that an end face of the
first housing section at the same side of the first shaft as the
second shaft is extended parallel to the second shaft by exactly
the length 2X to the outside whereby a first extended part is
provided, an end face of the second housing section at the opposite
side of the first shaft from the second shaft is extended parallel
to the second shaft by exactly the length 2X to the outside whereby
a second extended part is provided, and an end face of the first
extended part and an end face of the second extended part are
formed to be on the same plane when the second housing section is
rotated by the first shaft by 180 degrees.
6. The connecting system of a multi-section housing according to
claim 5, wherein the first extended part is provided with a leg
part with an end face which forms the same plane as the display
surface of the second housing section when the first and second
housing sections are superposed, and the second extended part is
provided with a leg part with an end face which forms the same
plane as the display surface of the first housing section when the
first and second housing sections are superposed.
7. The connecting system of a multi-section housing according to
claim 1, further comprising: third and fourth housing sections
connected by the first connecting device in the same way as the
first and second housing sections are connected and are superposed
under the second housing section in that order; and second
connecting devices which are arranged between the first and fourth
housing sections and between the second and third housing sections,
wherein the second connecting devices are provided with first
hinges which connect single end faces of the first and fourth
housing sections and second hinges which connect end faces of the
second and third housing sections at opposite sides to the end
faces at the first hinge sides, and the first shafts are used to
make the second and third housing sections rotate with respect to
the first and fourth housing sections by 180 degrees and, in the
finished rotation state, the second shafts are used to make the
first and fourth housing sections rotate with respect to the second
and third housing sections while the second connecting devices are
used to make end faces of the first and fourth housing sections and
end faces of the second and third housing sections approach each
other, and, when rotation of the first and fourth housing sections
with respect to the second and third housing sections ends, end
faces of the first and fourth housing sections and end faces of the
second and third housing sections abut whereby a single flat
surface is formed.
8. The connecting system of a multi-section housing according to
claim 1, further comprising: third and fourth housing sections
connected by the first connecting device in the same way as the
first and second housing sections are connected and are superposed
under the second housing section in that order; and second
connecting devices which are arranged between the first and fourth
housing sections and between the second and third housing sections,
wherein the second connecting devices are provided with first
hinges which connect single end faces of the first and fourth
housing sections and second hinges which connect end faces of the
second and third housing sections at opposite sides to the end
faces at the first hinge sides, and the first shafts are used to
make the second and third housing sections rotate with respect to
the first and fourth housing sections by 180 degrees and, in the
finished rotation state, the second shafts are used to make the
first and fourth housing sections rotate with respect to the second
and third housing sections while the second connecting devices are
used to make end faces of the first and fourth housing sections and
end faces of the second and third housing sections approach each
other, and, when rotation of the first and fourth housing sections
with respect to the second and third housing sections ends, end
faces of the first and fourth housing sections and end faces of the
second and third housing sections abut whereby a single flat
surface is formed.
9. The connecting system of a multi-section housing according to
claim 8, in which connecting system of a multi-section housing when
the length of a normal descended from the first shaft to the second
shaft is defined as X, the first to fourth housing sections to
which the connecting system of a multi-section housing according to
claim 8 is attached are configured so that end faces of the first
and fourth housing sections at the same sides of the first shafts
as the second shafts are extended parallel to the second shafts by
exactly the length 2X to the outside whereby first extended parts
are provided, end faces of the second and third housing sections at
the opposite sides of the first shafts from the second shafts are
extended parallel to the second shafts by exactly the length 2X to
the outside whereby second extended parts are provided, and end
faces of the first extended parts and end faces of the second
extended parts are formed to be on the same plane when the second
and third housing sections are rotated by the first shafts by 180
degrees.
10. The connecting system of a multi-section housing according to
claim 9, wherein the flat surface is comprised of display surfaces
of an image, the first extended parts are provided with leg parts
with end faces which form the same plane as the display surface of
the second housing section when the first and second housing
sections are superposed and leg parts with end faces which form the
same plane as the display surface of the third housing section when
the third and fourth housing sections are superposed, and the
second extended parts are provided with leg parts with end faces
which form the same plane as the display surface of the first
housing section when the first and second housing sections are
superposed and leg parts with end faces which form the same plane
as the display surface of the fourth housing section when the third
and fourth housing sections are superposed.
11. An electronic device which is provided with a multi-section
housing comprised of first to fourth four housing sections
superposed in that order and with the first and second housing
sections and third and fourth housing sections with their display
surfaces at the outside, which electronic device which is provided
with a multi-section housing is provided with a connecting system
of a multi-section housing which is provided with connecting
devices which are arranged at end faces of the first and second
housing sections and end faces of the third and fourth housing
sections, which allow the second housing section to be rotated with
respect to the first housing section and the third housing section
to be rotated with respect to the fourth housing section by first
shafts in the horizontal direction by 180 degrees, then enable the
second housing section to be rotated with respect to the first
housing section and the third housing section to be rotated with
respect to the fourth housing section by second shafts in the
vertical direction by 180 degrees and which are provided with first
hinges which connect single end faces of the first and fourth
housing sections which are exposed in directions parallel to the
second shafts and second hinges which connect end faces of the
second and third housing sections which are exposed in directions
parallel to the second shafts at the opposite sides to the end
faces of the first hinge sides and a control device which is
provided at any of the first to fourth housing sections and
displays an image of one-quarter of a screen's worth of a single
display image synchronized with other images, wherein by using the
first shafts of the connecting system of a multi-section housing to
make the second and third housing sections be rotated with respect
to the first and fourth housing sections in the horizontal
direction and, in the finished rotation state, use the first and
second hinges to make the first and fourth housing sections and the
second and third housing sections be rotated about the second
shafts while being opened, the first to fourth housing sections
form a single flat surface, and when the single flat surface is
formed, the control device is used to display a single image as a
whole on the adjoining display screens.
12. The electronic device according to claim 11, the connecting
device which is arranged at end faces of the first and second
housing sections is the first connecting device which is provided
at a center part of single end faces of first and second housing
sections of the same dimensions which are superposed with display
surfaces at the outsides, the first connecting device comprising: a
first shaft which is provided in a direction vertical to superposed
surfaces of the first and second housing sections; and a second
shaft which is provided in a direction perpendicular to the first
shaft; wherein when a center line of the first shaft is arranged on
a line bisecting the end faces to the left and right, and a center
line of the second shaft is arranged on the superposed surfaces of
the first and second housing sections, by making the second housing
section which is superposed below the first housing section rotate
by the first shaft by 180 degrees and in this state making the
first housing section rotate by the second shaft by 180 degrees,
the display surfaces of the first and second housing sections can
be formed on the same plane.
13. The electronic device according to claim 11, the connecting
device which is arranged at end faces of the first and second
housing sections is the first connecting device which is provided
at a single end face of the first and second housing sections which
are superposed with display surfaces at the outsides, the first
connecting device comprising: a first shaft which is provided in a
direction vertical to superposed surfaces of the first and second
housing sections; and a second shaft which is provided at a
position twisted with respect to the first shaft; wherein when a
center line of the first shaft is arranged on a line bisecting the
end face to the left and right, and a center line of the second
shaft is arranged on the superposed surfaces of the first and
second housing sections, by making the second housing section which
is superposed below the first housing section rotate by the first
shaft by 180 degrees and in this state making the second housing
section rotate by the second shaft by 180 degrees, the display
surfaces of the first and second housing sections can be formed on
the same plane.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation application based upon
and claims priority of International Patent Application No.
PCT/JP2013/62656, filed on Apr. 30, 2013, the contents being
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present application relates to a connecting system of a
multi-section housing and to an electronic device which is provided
with that connecting system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In recent years, mobile phones and other data terminals have
been made smaller and thinner. Along with this, to improve the
portability, operability, and ease of viewing of the display, there
are products which enable the display and other moving parts to
slide with respect to the keyboard and other fixed parts. FIG. 1A
illustrates a data terminal 3 in a state where a moving housing
(upper side housing) 2 is superposed over a fixed housing (lower
side housing) 1. This data terminal 3, as illustrated in FIG. 1B,
is used in a state with the movable housing 2 made to slide with
respect to the fixed housing 1. As such a form of a data terminal
3, for example, there are a mobile phone, mobile terminal (tablet
computer or other small computer), game machine, etc.
[0004] In this regard, in such a data terminal 3, as illustrated in
FIG. 1B, when making the movable housing 2 slide with respect to
the fixed housing 1, due to the structure of the housing sections,
an overlap part L was necessary between the fixed housing 1 and the
movable housing 2 in the full open state (full slide state). For
this reason, the amount of slide of the movable housing 2 with
respect to the fixed housing 1 was only up to two-thirds of the
housing length in the slide direction. This structure was fine in
the case of making the lower side fixed housing 1 the keyboard, but
when also making the lower side fixed housing 1 a display part, due
to the overlap part L, it was not possible to obtain a sufficient
area for display.
[0005] As opposed to this, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, a data
terminal 4 of a structure where the movable housing 2 becomes flat
(full flat) with respect to the fixed housing 1 at the time of full
slide is, for example, disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Publication
No. 2009-71588 and Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 2010-154149.
In Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-71588, there is a
connecting piece which connects the side surfaces of the fixed
housing (first housing) and movable housing (second housing). One
of two pins at the connecting piece is supported at the movable
housing, while the other is slidably engaged with the fixed
housing. Further, in Japanese Laid-Open Publication No.
2010-154149, the fixed housing (second housing) and the movable
housing (first housing) are connected by a link mechanism. The
movable housing is fully slid with respect to the fixed housing to
make the display surface fully flat.
[0006] When using a mobile terminal for e-mails or Twitter.RTM. or
other applications, a small size like that of a smart phone is
sufficient, but when viewing an electronic magazine or newspaper,
large screen size tablets are best suited. Further, it is hard to
walk around while holding both a smart phone type mobile phone and
a tablet, so there is a need for using a tablet for both
purposes.
[0007] However, while there have been terminals where two screens
have been made single flat screens up to now, there has never been
a terminal which realizes the equivalent size as a tablet by
connecting a larger number of screens, for example, four screens.
Further, even if it had been possible to connect four housing
sections to form a large screen data terminal, as illustrated in
FIG. 1D, there was the issue of a step difference forming at the
screens of the housing sections 5A to 5D divided into four so as to
form a data terminal 5. Further, if a step difference arises, the
screen becomes harder to view or a touch operation (wipe operation)
ends up being obstructed.
SUMMARY
[0008] In one aspect, the present application provides a connecting
system of a multi-section housing in a data terminal or other
electronic device where a large number of housing sections are
connected to form a single screen, wherein when the housing
sections are connected, the screen of the connected housing
sections becomes fully flat. Further, it provides an electronic
device when the housing sections of a multi-section housing are
connected, the screen of the connected housing sections becomes
fully flat. Further, the connecting system is simple in structure
and easy to manufacture.
[0009] According to one aspect of the present application, there is
provided a connecting system of a multi-section housing which is
provided at a center part of single end faces of first and second
housing sections of the same dimensions which are superposed with
display surfaces at the outsides, the connecting system of a
multi-section housing provided with a first shaft which is provided
in a direction vertical to superposed surfaces of the first and
second housing sections and a second shaft which is provided in a
direction perpendicular to the first shaft, arranging the first
shaft so that its center line is on a line bisecting the end faces
to the left and right and arranging the second shaft so that its
center line is on the superposed surfaces of the first and second
housing sections to thereby make the second housing section which
is superposed below the first housing section rotate by the first
shaft by 180 degrees and in this state make the first housing
section rotate by the second shaft by 180 degrees, whereby the
display surfaces of the first and second housing sections can be
formed on the same plane. The first shaft and the second shaft can
be provided at twisted positions. Further, there is provided a
connecting system of a multi-section housing which is provided
with, in addition to a connecting system which connects the first
and second housing sections, a connecting system which connects
third and fourth housing sections which are arranged below the
first and second housing section and which is provided with second
connecting devices which connect the end faces of the first and
fourth housing sections and the second and third housing sections
and which enable all of the display surfaces of the four superposed
housing sections to be formed on the same plane.
[0010] Further, according to another aspect of the present
application, there is provided an electronic device which is
provided with a multi-section housing comprised of first to fourth
four housing sections superposed in that order and with the first
and second housing sections and third and fourth housing sections
with their display surfaces at the outside, which electronic device
which is provided with a multi-section housing is provided with a
connecting system of a multi-section housing which is provided with
connecting devices which are arranged at end faces of the first and
second housing sections and end faces of the third and fourth
housing sections, which allow the second housing section to be
rotated with respect to the first housing section and the third
housing section to be rotated with respect to the fourth housing
section by first shafts in the horizontal direction by 180 degrees,
then enable the second housing section to be rotated with respect
to the first housing section and the third housing section to be
rotated with respect to the fourth housing section by second shafts
in the vertical direction by 180 degrees and which are provided
with first hinges which connect single end faces of the first and
fourth housing sections which are exposed in directions parallel to
the second shafts and second hinges which connect end faces of the
second and third housing sections which are exposed in directions
parallel to the second shafts at the opposite sides to the end
faces of the first hinge sides and a control device which is
provided at any of the first to fourth housing sections and
displays an image of one-quarter of a screen's worth of a single
display image synchronized with other images, wherein by using the
first shafts of the connecting system of a multi-section housing to
make the second and third housing sections be rotated with respect
to the first and fourth housing sections in the horizontal
direction and, in the finished rotation state, using the first and
second hinges to make the first and fourth housing sections and the
second and third housing sections be rotated about the second
shafts while being opened, the first to fourth housing sections
form a single flat surface, and when the single flat surface is
formed, the control device is used to display a single image as a
whole on the adjoining display screens.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1A is a perspective view which illustrates a closed
state of a slide type data terminal of the related art.
[0012] FIG. 1B is a perspective view which illustrates a slide out
state of the data terminal which is illustrated in FIG. 1A.
[0013] FIG. 1C is a perspective view which illustrates a state
where the data terminal which is illustrated in FIG. 1B is further
slid out to render the screen a full flat state.
[0014] FIG. 1D is a perspective view which illustrates a data
terminal of the related art which is provided with a connected
screen obtained by connecting four housing sections.
[0015] FIG. 2A is a perspective view which illustrates a superposed
state of a multi-section housing in one embodiment of an electronic
device of the present application which is provided with four
housing sections.
[0016] FIG. 2B is a perspective view which illustrates the state
where the multi-section housing of the electronic device which is
illustrated in FIG. 2A is spread open using a connecting system and
the surfaces at which screens are provided are made flat and the
screens are made to adjoin each other.
[0017] FIG. 3A is an assembled perspective view which illustrates
the structure of a first aspect of a first connecting device of the
present application which connects first and second housing
sections.
[0018] FIG. 3B is a perspective view which illustrates the
assembled state of the first connecting device which is illustrated
in FIG. 3A
[0019] FIG. 3C is a perspective view which illustrates the state
where one of the semicircular shafts which form a first shaft which
is illustrated in FIG. 3B is rotated with respect to the other by
90 degrees.
[0020] FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view which illustrates the
position of the second shaft which is built into the first aspect
of the first connecting device with respect to the superposed
surfaces of the first and second housing sections.
[0021] FIG. 3E is an assembled perspective view which illustrates
the shapes of the end faces of the first and second housing
sections together with the first connecting device when attaching
the first connecting device of the first aspect which is
illustrated in FIG. 3B to the end faces of the first and second
housing sections.
[0022] FIG. 4A is a plan view of the first and second housing
sections which have the first connecting device of the first aspect
of the present application built into them and are superposed with
the display surfaces at the outsides.
[0023] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the first and second
housing sections which are illustrated in FIG. 4A.
[0024] FIG. 4C is a perspective view which illustrates the state
where the first housing section starts to be rotated with respect
to the second housing section in the horizontal direction by the
first shaft of the first connecting device from the state of FIG.
4B.
[0025] FIG. 4D is a perspective view which illustrates the state
where the first housing section is further rotated and is rotated
with respect to the second housing section by 180 degrees from
state of FIG. 4C.
[0026] FIG. 4E is a perspective view which illustrates the state
where the second housing section starts to be rotated with respect
to the first housing section in the vertical direction by the
second shaft of the first connecting device from the state of FIG.
4D.
[0027] FIG. 4F is a perspective view which illustrates the state
where the second housing section is further rotated and is rotated
with respect to the first housing section by 180 degrees so that
the display surfaces adjoin each other from the state of FIG.
4D.
[0028] FIG. 5A is an assembled perspective view which illustrates
the state which arranges the third and fourth housing sections of
similar structures below the first and second housing sections
which are illustrated in FIG. 4B with the display surface of the
second housing section and the display surface of the third housing
section superposed and connects them by second connecting devices
of the present application to obtain an electronic device.
[0029] FIG. 5B is a perspective view after assembly of the
electronic device which is illustrated in FIG. 5A.
[0030] FIG. 5C is a perspective view which illustrates the state
where the outside first and fourth two housing sections among the
four housing sections which are illustrated in FIG. 5B start to be
rotated with respect to the inside second and third two housing
sections about first shafts of first connecting devices.
[0031] FIG. 5D is a perspective view which illustrates the state
where the first and fourth housing sections which are illustrated
in FIG. 5C are rotated with respect to the second and third housing
sections by 180 degrees.
[0032] FIG. 5E is a perspective view which illustrates the state
where the first and second housing sections and the third and
fourth housing sections are rotated about second shafts of the
first connecting devices and the first and fourth housing sections
and the second and third housing sections start to be rotated about
the hinge shafts of the second connecting devices from the state
which is illustrated in FIG. 5D.
[0033] FIG. 5F is a perspective view which illustrates the state
right before the first and second housing sections and the third
and fourth housing sections are further rotated about the second
shafts of the first connecting devices and the first and fourth
housing sections and the second and third housing sections are
further rotated and a single flat surface is formed from the state
which is illustrated in FIG. 5E.
[0034] FIG. 5G is a perspective view which illustrates the state
where the first and second housing sections and the third and
fourth housing sections are rotated about the second shafts of the
first connecting devices by 180 degrees and the first and fourth
housing sections and the second and third housing sections are
rotated about the hinge shafts of the second connecting devices by
180 degrees and a single flat surface is formed from the state
which is illustrated in FIG. 5F.
[0035] FIG. 6A is a perspective view which illustrates an
electronic device which is provided with four housing sections
which are connected by first connecting devices and second
connecting devices of a second aspect of the present
application.
[0036] FIG. 6B is a plan view of an electronic device which is
provided with the four housing sections which are illustrated in
FIG. 6A and explains the relationship of the line of a normal from
a first shaft to a second shaft of a first connecting device and
the size of the widths of extended parts which are provided at
single end faces of the housing sections.
[0037] FIG. 6C is a plan view of the first to fourth housing
sections after the four housing sections which are illustrated in
FIG. 6B are rotated by the first shafts of the first connecting
devices by 180 degrees.
[0038] FIG. 6D is a perspective view which illustrates an
electronic device of a comparative example which is provided with
four housing sections which are connected by first connecting
devices and second connecting devices of the second aspect of the
present application and do not have extended parts.
[0039] FIG. 6E is a plan view of the first to fourth housing
sections in the four housing sections which are illustrated in FIG.
6D after the first and fourth housing sections are rotated with
respect to the second and third housing sections by the first
shafts of the first connecting devices by 180 degrees.
[0040] FIG. 6F is a plan view of the first to fourth housing
sections when the four housing sections which are illustrated in
FIG. 6E are spread open by the second shafts of the first
connecting devices and the hinges of the second connecting
devices.
[0041] FIG. 7A is an assembled perspective view which illustrates
the structure of a specific example of a first connecting device of
the second aspect of the present application.
[0042] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a first connecting device
which illustrates the assembled state of the first connecting
device of the second aspect which is illustrated in FIG. 7A.
[0043] FIG. 7C is a perspective view which illustrates the state
where a first fastening plate is rotated by 180 degrees with
respect to a second fastening plate of the first connecting device
of the second aspect which is illustrated in FIG. 7B.
[0044] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the state where the first
and second housing sections are spread open by the first connecting
device of the second aspect which is illustrated in FIG. 7B as seen
from the back side of the display surfaces.
[0045] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of display surface sides of
the first and second housing sections which are illustrated in FIG.
8A.
[0046] FIG. 8C is a perspective view which illustrates the state
where the first housing section starts to be rotated about the
second shaft of the first connecting device of the second aspect
from the state which is illustrated in FIG. 8A.
[0047] FIG. 8D is a perspective view which illustrates the state
where the first housing section is further rotated with respect to
the second housing section from the state of FIG. 8C.
[0048] FIG. 8E is a perspective view which illustrates the state
where the first housing section is further rotated with respect to
the second housing section from the state of FIG. 8D.
[0049] FIG. 8F is a perspective view which illustrates the state
where the first housing section is rotated with respect to the
second housing section using the first connecting device of the
second aspect by 180 degrees from the state of FIG. 8E.
[0050] FIG. 8G is a perspective view which illustrates the state
where the first housing section starts to be rotated about the
first shaft of the first connecting device of the second aspect
from the state which is illustrated in FIG. 8F.
[0051] FIG. 8H is a perspective view which illustrates the state
where the first housing section is further rotated with respect to
the second housing section from the state of FIG. 8G.
[0052] FIG. 8I is a perspective view which illustrates the state
where the first housing section is rotated with respect to the
second housing section by 180 degrees and is superposed using the
first connecting device of the second aspect from the state of FIG.
8H.
[0053] FIG. 8B is a perspective view which illustrates the state
where the two housing sections at the outsides of the four housing
sections which are illustrated in FIG. 8A finish sliding using the
connecting system of the first embodiment.
[0054] FIG. 9 is a perspective view which explains an embodiment of
the structure of the back surface side when the electronic device
which is illustrated in FIG. 6A which was connected by the first
connecting devices of the second aspect which is illustrated in
FIG. 7A and the four display surfaces are arranged adjoining each
other.
[0055] FIG. 10A is a perspective view which illustrates one
embodiment of a first hinge which is illustrated in FIG. 6A.
[0056] FIG. 10B is a perspective view which illustrates one
embodiment of a second hinge which is illustrated in FIG. 6A.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0057] Below, using the attached drawings, embodiments of a
connecting system of a multi-section housing and an electronic
device which is provided with that connecting system according to
the present application will be explained in detail based on
detailed examples.
[0058] FIG. 2A discloses the closed state of one embodiment of an
electronic device 40 which is provided with a housing which is
divided into a plurality of separate housing parts (hereafter
referred to as a "multi-section housing"), while FIG. 2B
illustrates an electronic device 40 in the state opened using the
later explained first and second two connecting devices. The
electronic device 40 of the present embodiment is comprised of
first to fourth four separate housing parts 41 to 44 superposed in
that order. The separate housing parts 41 to 44 will hereinafter be
referred to as the "housing sections 41 to 44". The first
connecting devices are hidden in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B and cannot be
seen, but the second connecting devices 20 comprise first hinges 21
and second hinges 22. The first hinges 21 connect the first and
fourth housing sections 41, 44 at single side surfaces, while the
second hinges 22 connect the second and third housing sections 42,
43 at the same side surfaces.
[0059] The first to fourth four housing sections 41 to 44 have
respective display surfaces (also described as "displays" in some
cases) 41D to 44D. The displays 41D, 44D of the first and fourth
housing sections 41, 44 are exposed to the outside of the
electronic device 40 in the state where the first to fourth four
housing sections 41 to 44 are superposed. On the other hand, the
displays 42D, 43D of the second and third housing sections 42, 43
adjoin each other in the state where the second and third housing
sections 42, 43 are superposed. In the state where the first to
fourth four housing sections 41 to 44 are opened, the displays 41D
to 44D approach each other resulting in a single large screen. If
providing any of the first to fourth housing sections 41 to 44 with
a control device which displays an image of one-quarter a screen's
worth of a single display image synchronized with other screens, it
is possible to display a large image on a single large screen.
[0060] Among the first to fourth four housing sections 41 to 44,
the adjoining first and second housing sections 41, 42 form a pair,
while the similarly adjoining third and fourth housing sections 43,
44 form a pair. The first connecting devices of the present
embodiment are provided between the end faces of the first and
second housing sections 41, 42 and between the end faces of the
third and fourth housing sections 43, 44. On the other hand, as
explained above, the second connecting devices connect the unpaired
first and fourth housing sections 41, 44 and the second and third
housing sections 42, 43. The arrows which are displayed on the
display 41D of the first housing section 41 are illustrated as
illustrated in FIG. 2B if the first to fourth housing sections 41
to 44 are spread open by the first and second connecting
devices.
[0061] The electronic device 40 of the present application, as
illustrated in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, enables the realization of a
single large display when provided with the first to fourth four
housing sections 41 to 44. On the other hand, the electronic device
of the present application can be effectively used even when using
a first connecting device to spread open the first and second
housing sections 41, 42 to form a double size display. Therefore,
first, the case where the first and second housing sections 41, 42
are connected by a first connecting device and a display of two
times the size is obtained after being spread open will be
explained. Further, next, the case where the first to fourth
housing sections 41 to 44 are connected by first and second
connecting devices and a display of four times the size results
after being spread open will be explained.
[0062] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D illustrate the structure and operation of
a first aspect of the first connecting device 10 of the present
application, while FIG. 3E illustrates the attachment of the first
connecting device 10 of the first aspect to the first and second
housing sections 41, 42. Further, FIG. 4A to FIG. 4F explain the
change from the closed position to spread open position of the
first and second housing sections 41, 42 in the case where as
illustrated in FIG. 3E the first and second housing sections 41, 42
have the first connecting device 10 attached to them. As
illustrated in FIG. 4A, the first connecting device 10 is provided
at the center parts of single end faces of the first and second
housing sections 41, 42 when the first and second housing sections
41, 42 of the same dimensions are superposed with the displays 41D,
42D at the outside.
[0063] As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the first connecting device 10 of
the first aspect is provided with a first shaft 11 and a second
shaft 12 which is provided in a direction perpendicular to the
first shaft. The first shaft 11 is provided in a vertical direction
to the superposed surfaces of the first and second housing sections
41, 42. In the first aspect, it forms a columnar shape. The axial
line bisects the end faces. The columnar shaped first shaft 11 is
divided into two to the left and right. These form a first
semicircular shaft 11A and a second semicircular shaft 11B. The
bisected surfaces of the first shaft 11 are provided with axial
holes 13 which are perpendicular to the bisected surfaces. The
axial holes 13 are provided so as to be perpendicular to the axial
line of the first shaft 11. Further, the axial holes 13 of the
first semicircular shaft 11A and the second semicircular shaft 11B
have the second shaft 12 inserted into them. Therefore, the first
shaft 11 and the second shaft 12 are perpendicular.
[0064] Further, at the parts close to the top surfaces of the first
semicircular shaft 11A and the second semicircular shaft 11B,
ridges 14 are provided circling the outer circumferential surface
of the first shaft 11. In the present embodiment, the first
semicircular shaft 11A is attached to the first housing section 41,
while the second semicircular shaft 11B is fastened to the second
housing section 42. Therefore, the bottom end part of the second
semicircular shaft 11B is provided with an attachment projection
15. Further, in the present embodiment, the bottom end part of the
first semicircular shaft 11A is also provided with a projection 16
of the same shape as the attachment projection 15, but the
projection 16 need not be made the same shape as the attachment
projection 15. The bottom end part of the first semicircular shaft
11A need only be shaped formed with an axial hole 13.
[0065] FIG. 3B illustrates the state where the first connecting
device 10 which is illustrated in FIG. 3A is assembled, while FIG.
3C illustrates the state where the first semicircular shaft 11A
which is illustrated in FIG. 3B is rotated with respect to the
second semicircular shaft 12A by 90 degrees. The first semicircular
shaft 11A can be rotated with respect to the second semicircular
shaft 12A by 180 degrees. The first connecting device 10 which is
provided with such a structure, as illustrated in FIG. 3E, has an
attachment projection 15 which is provided at the bottom end part
of the second semicircular shaft 11B fit into an attachment recess
part 42R which is provided at the end part of the second housing
section 42. At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 3D, the top end
part of the attachment projection 15 is positioned at the
superposed surface of the second housing section 42 with the first
housing section 41 and the center line of the second shaft 12 which
is inserted into the axial hole 13 is positioned on the superposed
surface F.
[0066] On the other hand, the ridge 14 which is provided at the top
side of the first semicircular shaft 11A can be fit into a rotary
groove 41R which is provided at the bottom end part of the first
housing section 41 to be able to rotate. Further, due to the ridges
14 which are provided at the first shaft 11, the first housing
section 41 can no longer be pulled out to the top side with respect
to the first shaft 11. That is, the ridges 14 are ridges for
preventing detachment so that the first housing section 41 no
longer detaches from the top side. The first housing section 41
with the rotary groove 41R fit with the first semicircular shaft
11A can rotate about the first shaft 11, that is, up to the second
semicircular shaft 11B side, if the first semicircular shaft 11A
does not rotate about the second shaft 12 with respect to the
second semicircular shaft 12A. Note that, in the present
embodiment, to facilitate understanding of the configuration, the
diameter of the first shaft 11 is drawn large, but the diameter of
the first shaft 11 need only be a size which can hold the second
shaft 12 and is not particularly limited.
[0067] Due to this configuration, if using the first shaft 11 to
make the second housing section 42 which is superposed under the
first housing section 41 rotate by 180 degrees and in this state
making the first housing section 41 rotate by the second shaft 12
by 180 degrees, the displays 41D, 42D of the first and second
housing sections can be formed on the same plane. Note that, the
mechanism for preventing the first shaft 11 which had been fit into
the rotary groove 41R from detaching in the horizontal direction is
not illustrated, but the following such mechanism may be
considered. For example, if forming a circumferential groove at the
top surface of the columnar shaped first shaft 11 and fitting the
ridges 14 into the rotary groove 41R, then positioning the front
end part of the pin which is attached from the display surface side
of the first housing section 41, the first shaft 11 which is fit
into the rotary groove 41R will not detach in the horizontal
direction.
[0068] Here, the operation of the electronic device 60 which is
provided with the first connecting device 10 of the first aspect of
the present application and which spreads open the first and second
housing sections 41, 42 which are superposed with their displays at
the outsides by the first connecting device 10 so as to make the
displays adjoin each other will be explained using FIG. 4A to FIG.
4F. FIG. 4A is a plan view which illustrates an electronic device
60 comprised of first and second housing sections 41, 42
superposed, while FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the electronic
device 60. Single end faces of the first and second housing
sections 41, 42 have the first connecting device 10 provided with a
first shaft 11 and second shaft 12 attached to them.
[0069] FIG. 4C illustrates the state where the first shaft 11 of
the first connecting device 10 is used to make the first housing
section 41 start to be rotated with respect to the second housing
section 42 in the horizontal direction from the state which is
illustrated in FIG. 4B. If continuing to make the first housing
section 41 rotate with respect to the second housing section 42 in
the horizontal direction and make the first housing section 41
rotate with respect to the second housing section 42 by 180
degrees, the result becomes the state of FIG. 4D. In this state,
the second semicircular shaft 11B is exposed on the second housing
section 42 and the first semicircular shaft 11A is in the first
housing section 41. Here, as illustrated in FIG. 4E, the second
housing section 42 is made to rotate about the second shaft 12 of
the first connecting device 10 in the vertical direction. Further,
if rotating the second housing section 42 about the second shaft 12
of the first connecting device 10 by 180 degrees, the state becomes
the one which is illustrated in FIG. 4F and the display 41D of the
first housing section 41 and the display 42D of the second housing
section 42 adjoin each other at the same plane. In this embodiment,
the first connecting device 10 is provided at the end faces of the
short sides of the first and second housing sections 41, 42, but
may also be provided at the end faces of the long sides.
[0070] Next, the case where the first to fourth housing sections 41
to 44 are connected by first and second connecting devices 10, 20
and form a display of four times the size after being spread open
will be explained using FIG. 5A to FIG. 5G. First, an electronic
device 60 which is provided with a first connecting device 10 of
the first aspect and first and second housing sections 41, 42 which
are superposed with their displays at the outsides and an
electronic device 60A which is provided with third and fourth
housing sections 43, 44 which are superposed with their displays at
the outsides are prepared. Next, the display of the second housing
section 42 of the electronic device 60 and the display 43D of the
third housing section 43 of the electronic device 60A are
superposed. Further, the end faces of the first and fourth housing
sections 41, 44 adjoining the first connecting device are connected
by the first hinges 21 while the end faces of the second and third
housing sections 41, 43 at the same sides are connected by the
second hinges 22 to form a single electronic device 40. FIG. 5B
illustrates the state after assembly of the electronic device 40
which is illustrated in FIG. 5A.
[0071] The first hinges 21 enable the first housing section 41 and
fourth housing section 44 to be opened in a V-shape about the hinge
shafts of the first hinges 21. Further, the second hinges 22 enable
the second housing section 42 and third housing section 43 to be
opened in a V-shape about the hinge shafts of the second hinges 22
in the state where the first housing section 41 and fourth housing
section 44 are moved to the outside of the second housing section
42 and the third housing section 43.
[0072] FIG. 5C illustrates the state where, among the four housing
sections 41 to 44 of the electronic device 40 which is illustrated
in FIG. 5B, the outside first and fourth housing sections 41, 44
start to be made to rotate with respect to the inside second and
third housing sections 42, 43 about the first shafts 11 of the
first connecting devices 10. Further, if making the first and
fourth housing sections 41, 44 rotate with respect to the second
and third housing sections 42, 43 about the first shafts 11 by 180
degrees, the result becomes the state which is illustrated in FIG.
5D. In this state, at the front side, a second semicircular shaft
11B is exposed on the second housing section 42, a first
semicircular shaft 11A is in the first housing section 41, at the
back side, a second semicircular shaft 11B is exposed on the third
housing section 43, and a first semicircular shaft 11A is in the
fourth housing section 44.
[0073] In the state which is illustrated in FIG. 5D, the end faces
of the first and fourth housing sections 41, 44 where the hinges 21
are provided and the end faces of the second and third housing
sections 42, 43 where the hinges 22 are provided are at different
sides. Further, there is a second shaft 12 at the center of the end
faces of the first and fourth housing sections 41, 44 where the
hinges 21 are provided and the end faces with no hinges. Similarly,
there is a second shaft 12 at the center of the end faces of the
second and third housing sections 42, 43 where the hinges 22 are
provided and the end faces with no hinges.
[0074] Therefore, in the state which is illustrated in FIG. 5D, the
end parts of the first and fourth housing sections 41, 44 with no
hinges 21 and the end parts of the second and third housing
sections 42, 43 with no hinges 22 are spread open as illustrated in
FIG. 5E in the arrow directions. The first and fourth housing
sections 41, 44 and the second and third housing sections 42, 43
rotate about the second shafts 12 of the first connecting devices
10 and open about the hinges 21, 22 in a V-shape. If the first and
fourth housing sections 41, 44 and the second and third housing
sections 42, 43 are further spread open, after the state which is
illustrated by the broken lines in FIG. 5F, the first and fourth
housing sections 41, 44 and the second and third housing sections
42, 43 are rotated about the first connecting devices 10 by 180
degrees and become fully flat. This state is illustrated in FIG.
5G.
[0075] In the full flat state, as illustrated in FIG. 5G, the
displays 41D to 44D at all of the housing sections 41 to 44 adjoin
each other and form a single screen. Further, the first connecting
devices 10 and the second connecting devices 20 are both hidden at
the superposed surfaces of the first to fourth housing sections 41
to 44, so are not exposed at the electronic device 40 in the full
flat state.
[0076] The first connecting device 10 of the first aspect of the
present application is provided with the second shaft 12
perpendicular to the first shaft 11. Next, the first connecting
device 10 of a second aspect of the present application will be
explained. The first connecting device 10 of the second aspect has
the second shaft 12 not perpendicular to the first shaft 11, but
twisted from it in position.
[0077] FIG. 6A illustrates an electronic device 40 where third and
fourth housing sections 43, 44 of similar structures are superposed
under the first and second housing sections 41, 42 which are
connected by the first connecting device 10 of the second aspect of
the present application. In the electronic device 40, the displays
41D, 44D of the first and fourth housing sections are exposed to
the outside, while the display 42D of the second housing section 42
and the display 43D of the third housing section are superposed.
Further, the second shaft 12 of the first connecting device 10 is
at a position twisted from the first shaft 11. The length of the
normal which descends from the first shaft 11 to the second shaft
12 is X.
[0078] In this case, when using the first connecting devices 10 of
the second aspect to connect the end faces T1 of the first and
second housing sections 41, 42 and the third and fourth housing
sections 43, 44, the end parts of the housing sections 41 to 44 are
provided with extended parts 41E to 44E so that after being spread
open, the screens form a continuous flat surface. The extended
parts 41E, 44E extend at the sides where the second connecting
devices 20 are attached, while the extended parts 42E, 43E extend
to the opposite sides. Further, the extended part 41E is provided
with leg parts 41L, 44L which are provided with heights reaching
the superposed surfaces of the second and third housing sections
42, 43 at the back surface side of the extended part 42E. In the
same way, the extended part 42E is provided with leg parts 42L, 43L
which are provided with heights reaching the displays 41D, 44D of
the first and fourth housing sections 41, 44 at the back surface
side of the extended part 42E.
[0079] The extended lengths of the extended parts 41E to 44E are
made 2X when the first shafts 11 are at center point positions of
the distance Y between the extended parts 41E, 44E and the extended
parts and the length of the normal descending from the first shafts
11 to the second shafts 12 is X. This is because if the length of
the normal descending from the first shafts 11 to the second shafts
12 is X, if rotating the first to fourth housing sections 41, 44
about the first shafts 11 in the arrow mark direction by 180
degrees, the positions of the second shafts 12 will gradually
deviate from the original position by 2X. Further, if making the
extended lengths of the extended parts 41E, 42E the lengths of 2X,
as illustrated in FIG. 6C, when making the first and fourth housing
sections 41, 44 rotate about the first shafts 11 by 180 degrees,
the second shafts 12 becomes positions bisecting the width Z of the
housing sections in that state. Therefore, in this state, even if
making the second housing section 42 rotate about the second shaft
12 as illustrated by the arrow by 180 degrees, no step difference
arises between the end faces of the first and second housing
sections 41, 42 and the end faces of the third and fourth housing
sections 43, 44.
[0080] Further, the first hinges 21 of the second connecting
devices 20 are attached between the extended parts 41E, 44E, while
the second hinges 22 are attached at the end faces of the housing
sections 42, 43 at the opposite sides to the extended parts 42E,
43E. Due to this structure, if opening the first and fourth housing
sections 41, 44 which are illustrated in FIG. 6C about the first
hinges 21 as the center of rotation into a V-shape and opening the
second and third housing sections 42, 43 about the second hinges 22
as the center of rotation, the displays of the first to fourth
housing sections 41 to 44 become flat.
[0081] Here, the electronic device 40X of a comparative example in
the case where the extended parts 41E to 44E are not provided will
be explained using FIG. 6D to FIG. 6F. FIG. 6D illustrates an
electronic device 40X comprised of first and second housing
sections 41, 42 which are connected by the first connecting device
10 of the second aspect and do not have extended parts and, under
them, third and fourth housing sections 43, 44 of similar
structures with the display of the second housing section and the
display of the third housing section superposed. The first
connecting device 10 has a first shaft 11 and a second shaft 12.
The two are at twisted positions. This point is the same as with
the electronic device 40 which is illustrated in FIG. 6A. The first
hinges 21 of the second connecting devices 20 are attached between
the first and fourth housing sections 41, 44, while the second
hinges 22 are attached between the second and third housing
sections 42, 43.
[0082] FIG. 6E illustrates the four housing sections 41 to 44 which
are illustrated in FIG. 6D after the first and fourth housing
sections 41, 44 in the four housing sections 41 to 44 are rotated
with respect to the second and third housing sections 42, 43 by the
first shafts 11 of the first connecting devices 10 by 180 degrees.
While illustrated also in FIG. 6D, the first hinges 21 have lengths
from the second shafts 12 to the first hinges 21 and second hinges
22 made the same length Q, so the hinge shafts are at positions
separated from the end faces of the first and fourth housing
sections 41, 44.
[0083] FIG. 6F illustrates the first to fourth housing sections 41
to 44 when the four housing sections 41 to 44 which are illustrated
in FIG. 6E are spread open by the second shafts 12 of the first
connecting devices 10 and the first and second hinges 21, 22 of the
second connecting devices 20. If in this way the end faces of the
first to fourth housing sections 41 to 44 are not provided with the
extended parts 41E to 44E, if spreading open the first to fourth
housing sections 41 to 44 using the first and second connecting
devices 10, 20, a clearance part K and step differences D end up
forming at the display. The extended parts 41E to 44E which are
illustrated in FIG. 6F by the two-dot chain lines are for filling
in these clearance part K or step differences D to form a single
continuous large screen.
[0084] FIG. 7A is an assembled perspective view which illustrates
the structure of a specific example of the first connecting device
10 of the second aspect of the present application. FIG. 7A
illustrates the first connecting device 10 which is attached
between the first and second housing sections 41, 42. The first
connecting device which is attached between the third and fourth
housing sections 43, 44 has a shape in a mirror image relationship
with the first connecting device 10 which is illustrated in FIG.
7A. The component members are completely the same, so illustration
and explanation will be omitted. The first connecting device 10 of
the present embodiment is provided with a first fastening plate 31
and second fastening plate 31 for attaching the first shaft 11 and
the second shaft 12 to the first and second housing sections 41, 42
and with a moving member 33.
[0085] The first fastening plate 31 is attached by screws 9 to the
recessed part 41M which is provided at the end part of the first
housing section 41. The first fastening plate 31 is provided with a
hole 31A for attaching the second shaft 12. The second fastening
plate 32 is attached by screws 9 to the recessed part 42M which is
provided at the end part of the second housing section 42. The
second fastening plate 32 is provided with a hole 32A for inserting
the first shaft 11. The moving member 33 is provided with a hole
33A for inserting the first shaft 11 and a hole 33B for inserting
the second shaft 12. The hole 33A and the hole 33B are at twisted
positions. The first shaft 11 is inserted into the hole 33A of the
moving member 33, then is attached to the hole 32A of the second
fastening plate 32. The second shaft 12 is inserted into the hole
33B, then is attached to the hole 31A of the first fastening plate
31.
[0086] FIG. 7B illustrates the assembled state of the first
connecting device 10 of the second aspect which is illustrated in
FIG. 7A. Further, FIG. 7C illustrates the state where the first
fastening plate 31 is rotated with respect to the second fastening
plate 32 of the first connecting device 10 of the second aspect
which is illustrated in FIG. 7B about the second shaft 12 by 180
degrees. Further, in the state which is illustrated in FIG. 7C, the
first fastening plate 31 can be rotated about the first shaft 11 by
180 degrees.
[0087] Here, the process by which the electronic device 60 which is
provided with the first and second housing sections 41, 42 is
changed from the open state to the superposed state by the first
connecting device 10 which is attached between the first and second
housing sections 41, 42 will be explained using FIG. 8A to FIG.
81.
[0088] FIG. 8A illustrates the state where the first and second
housing sections 41, 42 of the electronic device 60 are spread open
by the first connecting device 10 of the second aspect which is
illustrated in FIG. 7B as seen from the back side of the display.
Further, FIG. 8B illustrates the first and second housing sections
41, 42 of the electronic device 60 which is illustrated in FIG. 8A
as seen from the display side. Reference notation 42E indicates an
extended part, while 41L and 42L indicate leg parts.
[0089] FIG. 8C illustrates the state where the first housing
section 41 is started to be rotated with respect to the second
housing section 42 about the second shaft 12 of the first
connecting device 10 from the state which is illustrated in FIG.
8A. Further, FIG. 8D, FIG. 8E, and FIG. 8F illustrate the state
where the first housing section 41 is further rotated with respect
to the second housing section 42 from the state which is
illustrated in FIG. 8C. Further, if the first housing section 41 is
rotated with respect to the second housing section 42 about the
second shaft 12 by 180 degrees from the state which is illustrated
in FIG. 8E, the result becomes the state which is illustrated in
FIG. 8F. The first housing section 41 does not rotate any further
with respect to the second housing section 42.
[0090] In the state which is illustrated in FIG. 8F, this time the
first housing section 41 can rotate with respect to the second
housing section 42 about the first shaft 11. FIG. 8G illustrates
the state where the first housing section 41 starts to rotate about
the first shaft 11 of the first connecting device 10 from the state
which is illustrated in FIG. 8F, while FIG. 8H illustrates the
state where the first housing section 41 rotates further with
respect to the second housing section 42 from the state which is
illustrated in FIG. 8G. If, in this way, the first housing section
41 rotates with respect to the second housing section 42 about the
first shaft 11 and the angle of rotation becomes 180 degrees, as
illustrated in FIG. 8I, the first housing section 41 is superposed
on the second housing section 42. In the superposed state, the
electronic device 60 becomes a box shape due to the leg parts 41L,
42L.
[0091] In the case of forming the electronic device 40 which is
provided with the first to fourth housing sections 41 to 44 such as
illustrated in FIG. 6A, two electronic devices 60 which are
provided with such a structure are prepared and the two housing
sections at the second electronic device 60 are made the third and
fourth housing sections 43, 44. However, the first connecting
device of the third and fourth housing sections 43, 44 is in a
mirror relationship with the first connecting device of the first
and fourth housing sections 41, 44. Further, below the second
housing section 42, a third housing section 43 is arranged. If
connecting the end faces of the first and fourth housing sections
41, 44 by the first hinges 21 and connecting the end faces of the
second and third housing sections 42, 43 by the second hinges 22,
it is possible to produce an electronic device 40 such as
illustrated in FIG. 6A.
[0092] FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of the structure of the
back surface side when the electronic device 40 which is
illustrated in FIG. 6A in which the first connecting device 10 of
the specific embodiment which is explained in FIG. 7A is spread
open and the four displays are arranged adjoining each other. The
first and second housing sections 41, 42 and the third and fourth
housing sections 43, 44 are connected by first connecting devices
10. The two first connecting devices 10 are in a mirror image
relationship. Further, the first and fourth housing sections 41, 44
are connected by the first hinges 21, while the second and third
housing sections 42, 43 are connected by the second hinges 22.
[0093] In the present embodiment, the back surface of the first
housing section 41 is provided with a main board 50 on which a CPU
50A is mounted as a control device and which controls the
electronic device 40 as a whole. The back surfaces of the housing
sections 41 to 44 are provided with display-use circuit boards 51
to 54. These control the display of the display parts. The main
board 50 and the display-use circuit boards 51 to 54 are connected
by fine cable bundles 55. The two end parts of the fine cable
bundles 55 are provided with connection-use connectors 56 attached
to them. The control device can work together with the display-use
circuit boards 51 to 54 to display an image of a quarter of a
screen's worth of a single display image in synchronization with
the other screens.
[0094] The fine cable bundle 55 which connects the the main board
50 and the first display-use circuit board 51 is directly
connected, but the fine cable bundle 44 which connects the main
board 50 and the second display-use circuit board 52 is arranged
passing through the first connecting device 10. Further, the fine
cable bundle 44 which connects the main board 50 and the third
display-use circuit board 53 is arranged passing through the first
hinge 21 and passing through the first connecting device 10.
Furthermore, the fine cable bundle 44 which connects the main board
50 and the fourth display-use circuit board 54 is arranged through
the first hinge 21. Due to this structure, it becomes possible to
display a large image on a single screen of the electronic device
40.
[0095] FIG. 10A illustrates the structure of one embodiment of the
first hinge 21 which is provided spanning the leg part 41L of the
first housing section 41 and the leg part 44L of the fourth housing
section 44. The first hinge 21 of the present embodiment is
provided with a wing piece 211 which is fastened to the first
housing section 41 by screws 9 and a wing piece 212 which is
fastened to the fourth housing section 44 by screws 9. The end
parts which are not fastened by screws 9 are arranged adjoining
each other and are connected by a shaft 21A. The leg parts 41L, 44L
of the first and fourth housing sections 41, 44 are provided with
recessed parts 410, 440. The recessed parts 410, 440 receive the
wing pieces 211, 212 when the first and fourth housing sections 41,
44 rotate about the shaft 21A by 180 degrees and the leg parts 41L,
44L and extended parts 41E, 44E are superposed. The structure of
the first hinge 21 is not limited to this embodiment.
[0096] FIG. 10B illustrates the structure of one embodiment of a
second hinge 22 which is provided straddling the end face of the
second housing section 42 and the end face of the third housing
section 43. The second hinge 22 of the present embodiment is
provided with a wing piece 221 which is fastened to the second
housing section 42 by screws 9 and a wing piece 222 which is
fastened to the third housing section 43 by screws 9. The end parts
which are not fastened by screws 9 are arranged adjoining each
other and are connected by a shaft 22A. The end faces of the second
and third housing sections 42, 43 are provided with recessed parts
420, 430 which receive the wing pieces 221, 222 when the second and
third housing sections 42, 43 are rotated about the shaft 22A by
180 degrees and the end faces are superposed. The structure of the
second hinge 22 is not limited to this embodiment.
[0097] As explained above, the electronic device 40 which is
provided with a connecting system of a multi-section housing of the
present application can form a full flat large screen in the state
with the plurality of housing sections provided with screens
connected together and can be rendered a shape convenient for
carrying by superposing the housing sections by a rotate operation
by two axes. Further, the first connecting device can be configured
from a combination of two shafts and parts rotating and holding the
same, so manufacture is easy.
[0098] Although only some exemplary embodiments of this invention
have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the
exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel
teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this
invention.
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